Fishing double-bearing type reel with play-reducting clutch mechanism

Abstract

The invention relates to a fishing double-bearing type reel having a clutch mechanism which controls the engagement of a spool shaft thereby to switch the fishing-line take-up state and the fishing-line let-out state of the reel. In a fishing double-bearing type reel, a supporting shaft is provided coaxially with respect to a spool shaft on which a spool is mounted, and a pinion, which is rotated in association with the rotation of the handle, is mounted on the supporting shaft, and a rod-shaped engaging piece is provided on the pinion in such a manner that it is perpendicular to the axis, and is engaged with an recess formed in the end portion of the spool shaft. The engaging region where the rod-shaped engaging piece and the recess are engaged with each other is located as close to the common axis of the spool shaft and the supporting shaft as possible.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fishing double-bearing type reel comprising: a spool shaft rotatably supported by a reel body and having a spool thereon, said spool shaft having an axial end portion;   a supporting shaft coaxial with respect to said spool shaft, and having an axial end portion confronted with said axial end portion of said spool shaft;   a pinion rotatable in association with rotation of a handle and mounted on said supporting shaft;   a rod-shaped engaging piece provided on one of said axial end portions of said spool shaft and said pinion, and extending perpendicular to a common axis of said spool shaft and said supporting shaft; and   a recess formed in the other of said axial end portions for engagement with said rod-shaped engaging piece, wherein said pinion is axially movable relative to said spool shaft so that said rod-shaped engaging piece is engaged with and disengaged from said recess, and   wherein a spatial gap is provided between said spool shaft and said supporting shaft along said common axis to thereby permit relative axial displacement of said supporting shaft with respect to said spool shaft.   
     
     
       2. A fishing double-bearing type reel as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said rod-shaped engaging piece is made of a hard steel, and provided on said pinion made of a non-ferrous material; and   said recess is formed on said spool shaft.   
     
     
       3. A fishing double-bearing type reel as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said hard steel is selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and quenched steel; and   said non-ferrous material is selected from the group consisting of copper alloy and aluminum alloy.   
     
     
       4. A fishing double-bearing type reel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rod-shaped engaging piece is made of a hard steel, and is provided on said spool shaft, and   said recess is formed on said pinion made of a non-ferrous material.   
     
     
       5. A fishing double-bearing type reel as claimed in claim 4, wherein: said hard steel is selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and quenched steel; and   said non-ferrous material is selected from the group consisting of copper alloy and aluminum alloy.   
     
     
       6. A fishing double-bearing type reel as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said pinion includes an annular wall at said axial end portion thereof for defining a circular hole into which said axial end portion of said spool shaft is insertable;   said rod-shaped engaging piece is supported by said annular wall and extends across said circular hole diametrically; and   said recess is formed as a groove extending diametrically on said axial end of said spool shaft.   
     
     
       7. A fishing double-bearing type reel as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said pinion includes an annular wall at said axial end portion thereof for defining a circular hole into which said axial end portion of said spool shaft is insertable;   said recess is formed as a pair of grooves located at diametrically opposite positions of said annular wall; and   said rod-shaped engaging piece is fixed to said axial end of said spool shaft to diametrically protruded therefrom.   
     
     
       8. A fishing double-bearing type reel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pinion is fixed to said supporting shaft to thereby translate with said support shaft along said common axis. 
     
     
       9. A fishing double-bearing type reel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting shaft is mounted to rotate relative to said spool shaft. 
     
     
       10. A fishing double-bearing type reel comprising: a spool shaft rotatably supported by a reel body and having a spool thereon, said spool shaft having an axial end portion;   a supporting shaft coaxial with respect to said spool shaft, and having an axial end portion confronted with said axial end portion of said spool shaft;   a pinion rotatable in association with rotation of a handle and rotatably mounted on said supporting shaft;   a rod-shaped engaging piece provided on one of said axial end portions of said spool shaft and said pinion, and extending perpendicular to a common axis of said spool shaft and said supporting shaft; and   a recess formed in the other of said axial end portions for engagement with said rod-shaped engaging piece, wherein said pinion is axially movable relative to said spool shaft so that said rod-shaped engaging piece is engaged with and disengaged from said recess, and   wherein said supporting shaft is completely disengaged from said spool shaft when said rod-shaped engaging piece is disengaged from said recess.   
     
     
       11. A fishing double-bearing type reel as claimed in claim 10, wherein a spatial gap separates said support shaft from said spool shaft along said common axis.